The Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh is dredging 57 irrigational channels as an effort of recovery from the current drought and salinisation.

The dredge, costing 10 billion VND (465,000 USD) sourced from the Ministry of Finance, will be carried out in the districts of Chau Thanh, Cau Ngang, Cau Ke, Tieu Can and Tra Cu, said an official from the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

According to the department, drought and salinity intrusion dried up over 10,000ha of winter-spring rice.

About 1,000ha of summer-autumn rice are thirsty for water.

Worryingly, the salinity levels in Co Chien, Hau and Cau Quan rivers are reaching higher.

Northern and central regions, especially localities from Khanh Hoa to Ninh Thuan, have suffered from prolonged drought and shortage of water in midday temperatures hovering around 42 degrees C.

The heat waves are expected to continue and result in more severe droughts and deep salt intrusion in coastal and delta areas, according to the National Centre for Hydrometeorological Forecasting (NCHMF).-VNA